City officials declared 10 district health centers in the city as primary health care facilities owned by the local government in adherence to the mandatory licensing requirements of the Department of Health for all primary health care facilities.
Under Resolution No. 103, series of 2022, the 10 district health centers that will be classified as primary health care facilities include those in Asin, Atab, Atok Trail, City Camp, Engineers Hill, Irisan, Lucban, Pacdal, Pinsao and Quirino Hill.
The council cited that one of the requirements for the issuance of the legal license to operate as primary care facility is the proof of registration of such government facility through a council resolution.
Administrative Order No. 2012-0012 of the health department on the rules and regulations governing the new classification of district health centers and other Level I facilities in the country required the mandatory licensing of all Level 1 facilities.
Earlier, the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the health department upgraded the health centers in the city, including those at Asin, Atab, Atok Trail, City Camp, Engineers Hill, Irisan, Lucban, Pacdal, Pinsao and Quirino Hill, to provide primary health care services to the people; meet the standards in order to provide quality service; and be more responsive to the needs of the catchment areas.
At present, the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) and the St. Louis University Sacred heart Hospital as apex hospitals or end-referral hospitals are offering specialized services as determined by the health department, both contracted as stand-alone facilities by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC).
Section 2, Article 13 of the Philippine Constitution provided among others that the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and social services available to all people at affordable cost.
Further, Republic Act (RA) 7160otherwise known as the Local government Code of the Philippines as amended mandated the devolution of health services as one of the basic functions and responsibilities of the local government units at all levels.
Anchored on an integrated and comprehensive approach for the health systems, RA 11223 or the Universal health Care Act was enacted to ensure that all Filipinos are health literate, provided with healthy living conditions, and protected from hazards and risks that could affect their health.
The law provided for the formation of health care provider networks that ensure integration and effective and efficient delivery of population-based and individual-based health services. Each of the networks may be composed of integrated local health systems the provincewide or citywide health systems, networks or private health care providers to compliment the health services provided by public health facilities or mixed public-private networks of health service providers. (Dexter A. See)
